In a landmark conservation gesture, Botswana formally handed over eight cheetahs to India on November 13 at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve in the African country during President Droupadi Murmu’s state visit.
Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko was present on the occasion, along with wildlife officials from both the countries who briefed the respective Presidents’ on the details of the transfer.
The cheetahs, comprising both adults and sub-adults, were transported from Ghanzi town in the Kalahari desert. As part of the handover ceremony, two of the eight cheetahs were placed in a quarantine enclosure. Speaking at the event, President Murmu said, “These cheetahs will join their brothers and sisters in India’s Kuno National Park, helping us to restore the species in its historical habitat”. President of Botswana Duma Gideon Boko asserted, “Botswana was glad to support efforts to rebuild India’s cheetah population,” highlighting his country’s commitment to wildlife conservation.
A gesture symbolising the shared commitment to wildlife conservation.
President Droupadi Murmu along with President Duma Gideon Boko visited the Mokolodi Game Reserve in Gaborone. President Duma Gideon Boko formally handed over eight cheetahs to India, under the next phase of… pic.twitter.com/6clyxZHcEY
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) November 13, 2025
All eight cheetahs will remain in quarantine in Botswana before being transported to India in the coming weeks. Upon arrival, they will join the Cheetah Initiative project at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
India’s cheetah reintroduction programme began in 2022, when eight cheetahs were brought from Namibia, followed by twelve more from South Africa in 2023. Since then, India has recorded 27 cheetahs, including 16 born on Indian soil.
President Droupadi Murmu is in the African country of Botswana from November 11 to 13 at the invitation of President Duma Gideon Boko. It marked the first-ever state visit by an Indian Head of State to the country. During the visit, she held bilateral discussions, addressed the National Assembly of Botswana, and visited cultural and historical sites. President Murmu’s visit to Botswana followed her engagements in Angola from November 8 to 11 at the invitation of her Angolan counterpart, João Lourenco. That visit underscored India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Africa and the Global South.
The visit to Botswana also provided an opportunity to reinforce cooperation in trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defence, digital technologies, renewable energy and people-to-people exchanges. The cheetah handover formed part of this broader collaboration, with Botswana expressing its readiness to work with India on Project Cheetah.
भारत और बोत्सवाना के बीच संबंध विश्वास, सम्मान और साझा लोकतांत्रिक मूल्यों पर आधारित हैं। आज मेरी बोत्सवाना के राष्ट्रपति बोक़ो से बहुत सार्थक चर्चा हुई। हमने यह तय किया है कि हमारे देश व्यापार, शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य, digital technologies, कृषि, और renewable energy जैसे क्षेत्रों में… pic.twitter.com/SUwWma2ERk
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 13, 2025
President Droupadi Murmu also addressed the Indian community in Gaborone on November 13, highlighting the longstanding ties between India and Botswana. Speaking to the gathering, the President said, “This moment is even more historic as India and Botswana celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2026. I have been told that 10,000 Indians are actively involved in different sectors, including business and industry, in Botswana. I congratulate you all on being proud ambassadors of India”.
LIVE: President Droupadi Murmu addresses the Indian Community in Gaborone, Botswana https://t.co/6QAbEdiBaL
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 13, 2025
President Murmu held wide range of discussions bilateral meetings and addressed Botswana’s National Assembly. During her discussions with the Vice President of Botswana Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe President Droupadi Murmu addressed several areas of mutual interest with the vision of strengthening the India-Botswana strategic and bilateral relations for the benifit of both the countries and larger Global South.
(With Inputs from ANI)
